Return to flip book view
Manual HandlingoperationsDavid Olley
‘Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensedunder the Open Government Licence v1.0’.Accidents by type Assessing risk Back pain Basic lifting Carrying Employer’s duties Employee’s duties Forklift trucks Hoists and slings Injury / M.S.D. Injury by site Injury by type Introduction Legislation Lifting whilst sitting Load sharing Mechanical aids M/S injury Position Pushing and pulling Risk assessment Risk owchart Slipped disc Sprains and strains Spine, The Static loading Summary T.I.L.E
Manual handling is concerned with the movement of items by lifting, carrying,pushing, pulling or lowering, by hand or by some form of physical eort.The likelihood of injury from manual handling is not dependent only on movinglarge, heavy or dicult objects. Other factors such as repetitive movements orcarrying relatively light objects over long distances can be equally as damaging.Many people are injured lifting or moving light or “everyday” objects suchasboxes of paper or chairs because they move them in an awkward way without thethought or preparation that they may apply to a large or heavy object. Manualhandling injuries can occur anywhere in the workplace although certain factorscan increase the likelihood of injury.It is one of the most common causes of injury at work, responsible for over a thirdof all workplace injuries.The results of these injuries can be serious and long lasting both in terms ofnancial loss to the employer and employee as well as long-term pain anddisability.Over 1 million people in the UK suer from musculoskeletal disorders caused ormade worse by their jobs. This leads to over 12 million working days lost per year.Employers must ensure that wherever possible manual handling tasks that couldinvolve a risk to the health and safety of their employees are avoided, so far as isreasonably practicable. This may include reducing the risk by the introduction ofequipment such as trolleys, trucks, conveyors or lifting equipment. Where this isnot possible then the employer shall ensure that suitable and sucient riskassessments are conducted.IntroductionWorkplace accidents by typeManual HandlingFallsTripsHit by ObjectHit by vehicleOther2 Manual Handling
The risk of injury occurring may depend on several factors:▪ the task to be performed.▪ the environment in which the task is to be performed.▪ the level of tness or health of those performing the tasks, includinganyprevious history of injury.▪ changes in intensity or duration of work, brought about by factors such assta shortages.▪ availability of help.▪ availability of mechanical aids.▪ level of training.Some of these factors can be modied and others have to be accepted.The riskEmployer’s dutiesAVOID: avoid so far as is reasonably practicable the need for their employees toundertake any manual handling operations at work which might involve the risk ofinjury.ASSESS: where it is not possible to avoid any manual handling, they should makea detailed and thorough assessment of the risk.REDUCE: using the ndings of the risk assessment, steps must be taken to reducethe risk to the lowest practicable level.REVIEW: undertake reviews of the risk assessment whenever there has been asignicant change in the circumstances and implement any appropriate changes inprocedures based on the review.PROVIDE INFORMATION: provide clear instructions and training to employeesbased on the risk assessment and ensure adequate supervision.Employee’s dutiesEach employee whilst at work shall make full and proper use of any system of workprovided for their use by their employer. The employee’s duties will include:COOPERATE: with their employer on health and safety issues.TAKE CARE: that proper working systems are followed and that appropriatesafety equipment is used.INFORM: the employer if they identify any dangerous practices.3Manual Handling
These are the most common types of injuries that result from manual handling.They may include injury to the bony skeleton such as fractures and dislocations butmore commonly refer to injury to the soft tissues such as the muscle, tendon,ligament and cartilage – sprains and strains - with strains being by far the mostcommonly suered.The most common type of work related musculoskeletal disorder which then goeson to cause lost time injury is back injury.Musculoskeletal disorder or M.S.D.Site of injuryType of injuryBackRest of the bodyArmHandFracturesStrainsLacerationsContusionsOtherSupercial4 Manual Handling
The spineThe spine is a column of 33 bones called vertebraestacked one on top of the other. The vertebrae areseparated by pads of cartilage called intervertebraldiscs. The discs consist of a tough brous shell witha softer jelly-like inner and they function as cushionsor shock absorbers. They also facilitate bending byacting as semi xed jointsRunning in the space behind the vertebral bodies isthe spinal-cord. The spinal-cord is the main cablethat carries information from the body to the brainand directions or instructions from the brain to thebody.Branching out from the spinal-cord at the level ofeach vertebrae there are spinal nerves that carry theinformation in and out of the cord.It is possible to injure the spine without damagingthe spinal-cord and it is also possible to damage thecord without fracturing the spine.CervicalVertebraeThoracicVertebraeLumbarVertebraeSacrum /CoccyxThe natural ‘S’ shape of the spine is designed to provide strength and stability, soas the spine is moved from its ‘S’ shape it becomes less stable, the forces acting onit are increased and its ability to support loads is decreased.Spinal CordSpinal NerveIntervertebral DiscVertebral BodySpinal structuresVertebral BodySpinal NerveSpinal Cord5Manual Handling
Back painBack pain is very common. Four out of ve of us are likely to experience one ormore episodes of back pain at some time in our lives. Most sudden back pain isdue to muscle spasm caused by tiredness or strain injury, but it may be due toa‘slipped disc’, wear and tear on the joints or a trapped spinal nerve.A sudden attack of back pain may be very painful but it is not often very seriousand it does not usually require medical attention. In mostcases the best treatment is to keep as mobile as the painwill allow. Bed rest or lying still for days will make themuscles seize up and begin to waste away. This means thatthey will take much longer to recover.Things that may provoke back pain include:▪ heavy manual activity.▪ lifting and carrying.▪ poor posture.▪ reaching, twisting and lifting.▪ repetitive handling tasks.▪ slips or trips.Although back pain isn’t usually serious you should seea doctor if you have any of the following:▪ you feel ill or have a high temperature as well as severe back pain.▪ you feel numb or have pins and needles in both legs, around the genital area,the insides of the tops of the thighs or around your back passage.▪ both of your legs feel weak or you are unsteady on them.▪ you become incontinent.▪ the pain is getting worse for no apparent reason.Prolapsed (slipped) discIn this condition properly called a prolapsedintervertebral disc or PID, the disc, usually inthe lower back, ruptures and bulges into thespace occupied by the spinal nerves. The eectof this is to cause pain which may travel alongthe pathway of the aected nerve. The mostcommonly aected nerve is the sciatic nervein the leg (sciatica). 6 Manual Handling
The regulations covering manual handlingHealth and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAW or HSW)The main piece of UK health and safety legislation. It places a duty on allemployers "to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety andwelfare at work" of all their employeesManagement of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR)This sets out the general duties for improving Health and Safety and introducesthe requirements of a risk assessment and risk management.Manual Handling Operations Regulations 2002 (MHOR)Outlines the general duties upon employers concerning the moving of loads.Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (HSWR)This sets out general requirements to improve the working environment.Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)This covers minimum requirements for equipment used in the workplace.Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)Covers requirements for inspection and maintenance of lifting equipment in theworkplace.Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2002 (PPEWR)Gives advice on the selection and appropriate use of personal protectiveequipment.Sprains and strainsA strain occurs when a muscle or tendon has been overloaded or over tired,resulting in the tearing or inammation of some of the bres. It may resultfrom sudden overloading or from repetitive injury. It is usually characterisedby pain and possibly followed by muscle spasm.It is the most common injuryassociated with manual handling.A sprain occurs when the ligamentsthat support a joint are overstretched and torn.It commonly results from rotating or twistingthe ankle, or other mobile joint, past the point it isdeigned to accommodate..Sprains are likely to be very painful and it can bedicult to tell the dierence between sprains andfracture so for this reason this type of injury should betreated seriously until it has been properly assessed.7Manual HandlingLigamentTendonMuscleBone
Manual handling risk owchartImplement the safe system of workReview regularlyDoes the work involvemanual handling?Is there a risk of injury?Carry out an initial assessment of riskIs it practical to avoid the task?Can changes be made to reduce therisk?Does a signicant riskof injury remain?Carry out specic manualhandling risk assessmentIdentify ways of reducing the risk(safe system of work)No further actionChange how the task isto be performedUpdate initial risk assessmentYesYesYesNoYesNoNo8 Manual Handling
Assessing riskIndividualDoes the job:▪ require unusual height or strength?▪ create specic hazards for those with a particular health problem?▪ require specic training for its safe performance?Does the task require:▪ holding or moving loads at a distance?▪ bad posture or body movements such as:❑ stooping?❑ twisting?❑ reaching?▪ excessive movement, particularly:❑ excessive carrying distance?❑ excessive lifting or lowering distance?▪ excessive pushing and pulling of loads?▪ precise positioning of loads?▪ frequent or prolonged physical eort?▪ insucient rest or recovery periods.TaskRisk assessment may be a formal procedure carried out by the employer or theirrepresentative. This would be a legal requirement where a task is carried out on aregular basis and there is a potential risk of injury. The assessment would need tobe documented and acted upon. The assessment may also need to be revised on aregular basis, as circumstances may change.Assessment may also be less formal, carried out by the individual when called uponto do a particular task. It is a good idea to get into the habit of doing an informalassessment prior to any manual handling tasks being performed.When conducting an informal risk assessment keep the following in mind:▪ can I nd another way of completing the task without manual handling?▪ what are the hazards involved in handling the load?▪ what can I do to reduce the hazards?An easy format for an informal risk assessment can be based upon the TILEassessmentTask-Individual-Load-Environment9Manual Handling
Are there:▪ space problems which might prevent a good working posture?▪ uneven or slippery oors?▪ dierences in heights and levels of oor or working surfaces?▪ extremes of temperature or humidity?▪ problems with gusting winds or ventilation problems?▪ poor lighting conditions?▪ is movement likely to be hindered by the use of personal protectiveequipment or by clothing?EnvironmentLoadIs the load:▪ very heavy?▪ large bulky or dicult to manage?▪ dicult to grasp?▪ unstable, or could the contents move?▪ sharp, hot or otherwise potentially harmful?Lifting whilst sittingLifting whilst sitting is also particularly dangerous although manymistakenlybelieve that it may be safer than lifting when standing up.▪ When sitting the lower spine loses its “S” shape which makes it less able totolerate loads.▪ The work is being performed by the relatively weak arm muscles instead ofthe much stronger muscles of the legs.▪ The arm muscles will get tired more quickly and this leads to other muscleshaving to compensate.Principles of safe lifting▪ Avoid any manual lifting if possible.▪ Use lifting equipment wherever possible.▪ Assess the situation carefully.▪ Prepare the area.▪ Prepare any equipment.▪ Make sure that all team members are aware of what is being done andwhat is expected of them.10 Manual Handling
The mechanical loading on the spine and its supporting muscles and ligamentswill increase with the following factors:▪ the weight being lifted or carried.▪ the amount the trunk is bent forward.▪ the distance of the load from the spine.This means that a light load held at arm’s length will place the same load on thespine as a much heavier load held close to the body. If the individual is leaningforward at the same time the muscles and ligaments situated close to the spinehave to compensate for an apparent increase in the body’s weight.The diagram below gives suggested safe weights in kilograms that may be liftedin each position. These gures taken from the HSE’s manual handling operationsregulations show clearly that it is better to carry any size load at waist height andclose to the body.Position11Manual Handling
Tasks outside of these boundaries may well result in signicant risk of injuryand would require detailed assessment of risk. Even tasks that fall withinthese boundaries should be assessed and eliminated where possible,although whereassessment shows that it is safe to do so, these limits may be exceeded.Thegures given are for tasks performed in good conditions, where the load iscompact, stable and easy to grasp and hold close to the body, the lift is notperformed more frequently than twice a minute and does not require twistingthe trunk. These gures may be reduced if all of thesefactors are not present.Bending at the knees keeps the centre of gravityof the body low down towards the pelvis andmakes the body more stable and so reducesstrain on the muscles and ligaments.Twisting the back when lifting stretches themuscles and can place shearing forces on thediscs, particularly if you are bending and twisting at the same time.PositionOur bodies work better when they’re moving than when they are standingstill. Staying in one position, particularly with arms raised or outstretched,is likely to lead to muscle spasm and back pain.This state of prolonged muscle contraction is called static loading and canbeparticularly dangerous. It places a great strain onmuscles and tendons and may cause mechanicaldamage to the discs of the spine. It is extremely tiringand could result in a much greater strain on the heart.For these reasons the reduction of static loadingshould be a priority in the workplace.Activities which lead to static loading may include:▪ working with your body leaning forwards or sideways.▪ trying to move objects that are too heavy for you.▪ carrying heavy objects for any length of time.▪ trying to hold a load still or to support it.Static loading12 Manual Handling
Basic lifting techniquePlan before you start the lift▪ Do you have to make the lift at all?▪ Can you use any handling aids to make the lifteasier or safer?▪ Will help be needed and is it available?▪ Is the load an awkward shape or badlybalanced?▪ Is the load hot, sharp or otherwise dangerous tohandle?▪ Where is the load being moved to and wherewill it be placed?▪ Is the route clear?▪ Can you rest the load on a raised surface toreadjust your grip if necessary?Prepare▪ Stand with the feet shoulder width apart.▪ Place one foot slightly forward and alongsidethe load if possible.▪ Be prepared to move your feet during the lift tomaintain your balance.▪ Ensure you are wearing suitable footwear withgood support and grip.▪ Ensure that clothing or personal protectiveequipment will not impede the lift.Get into position▪ Bend the knees to get down to the level of theload.▪ It keeps the centre of gravity of the body lowdown toward the pelvis.▪ This makes the body more stable and reducesstrain on muscles and ligaments.▪ Keep the back balanced rather than rigid.▪ Slight bending of the back, hips and knees isbetter than fully exing the back (stooping) orfully exing the hips and knees (squatting).13Manual Handling